Refrigerator cabinet



April 18, 1950 T. H. KOEBER 2,504,267

REFRIGERATOR CABINET Filed Oct. 22. 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 I www fsm@ April 18, 1950 Filed Oct. 22. 1947 T. H. KOEBER REFRIGERATOR CABINET 3 SheetsSheet 2 April 18, 1950 T. H. KOEBER 2,504,267

` REFRIGERATOR CABINET Filed Oct. 22, 1947 3 Sheetsheet 3 sa g l l C@ l l l l mms/ron.,

Pafeneaapr. is, 195o 2,504,267l ICE l nEFmGEaa'roa CABINET Theodore H. Kocher, Oak Park, Ill., assigner to International tion of New Jersey Harvester Company, a corpora- Application October 22,I 1947, Serial No. 781,467

(cl. ca -11s) 9 claims. l

This invention relates to a refrigerator cabinet and more particularly to a cabinet construction that affords a choice of single or plural storage compartments.

Modern developments in the art of preservation of food products by freezing have created a vbeen satisfied in part by freezing unit of the chest type and in part by refrigerator cabinets of the so-called two-temperature type having one storage compartment refrigerated at temperatures between 35 to 40 F. and a smaller freezing compartment refrigerated at sub-freezing temperatures. The freezer chest unit is well adapted for its purposes but the user requires in addition an ordinary household refrigerator for the purpose of storage of foods at the usual mild temperatures (35 to 40 FJ. The requirement that the user purchase both the chest'. and the ordinary refrigerator substantially increases his outlay for refrigeration apparatus.

The purchase by the user of a two-temperature cabinet cuts down somewhat the original outlay for refrigeration apparatus but he is handicapped by the fact that the freezing compartment in the two-temperature cabinet is relatively small.

In other instances the user may not originally' desire to own apparatus of the type giving him storage at mild and also at sub-freezing temperatures, but may subsequently Wish to add a freezing unit without being put to the cost of purchasing a separate freezer chest.

The present invention features a cabinet construction giving to the user an option of acquiring either a single-compartment or a pluralcompartment unit, the construction being such that there is provided either a two-tier assembly, including a base and one refrigerated storage unit, or a three-tier assembly including a base and a pair of refrigerated storage units. It is a parent from a reading o f the following detailed description and accompanying sheets of drawings wherein there are shown, by way of example, two preferred forms of the invention.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view of one form of the invention showing the cabinet units arranged to provide a two-tier assembly.' portions of the cabinet being broken-away to reveal interior structure; i

Figure 2 is an end view of the cabinet shown in Figure l;

Figure 3 is a front view of the sharp-freezing cabinet unit by itself;

Figure 4 is an end view of the same;

Figures 5 and 6 'are respectively front and end views of the three-tier assembly;

Figures 7 and 8 are respectively front and end views of a two-tier assembly in which the base and sharp-freezing unit are used;

Figures 9 and 10 are respectively front and end views of a three-tier assembly involving a modiiled form of refrigeration apparatus.

Figures 1 to 8 As best shown in Figures 5 and 6, the threetier cabinet assembly is accomplished by the profeature of the invention that the diierent cabinet v units making up the base and the storage compartments are provided in such manner that they may be easily assembled and disassembled for the purpose of adding or removing a cabinet unit to accomplish the economical and desirable ends referred to above. It is another feature of the invention to provide a base unit that will accommodate either or both of the refrigeration mechanisms for the refrigerated compartments.

Other objects of the invention include: the provision of a cabinet assembly in which the various units may be supported one upon the other; the provision of a cover structure that is adapted for use with either the two-tier or the three-tier assembly; the provision of refrigerantcarrying connections arranged for elongation for the purpose of accommodating the interposition of an additional refrigerated compartment.

Other objects and features inherent in and encompassed by the invention will become apvision of a plurality of cabinet units comprising a base unit 2D, a sharp-freezing cabinet unit 22 and a mild-temperature cabinet unit 24. The base unit 22 is provided with suitable wall structure affording a machinery compartment 26 having an open top 28 (Figure 1). The upper portion of the base unit 29 is so provided as to be capable of supporting either the sharp-freezing unit 22 or the mild-temperature unit 24.

As shown in Figure l, the two-tier assembly includes the base unit 20 and the mild-temperature unit 26. The mild-temperature unit includes afood storage compartment 30 cooled by a cooling element 32 which may be any one of the commercially known evaporators. The food compartment 3'0 oi the unit 2t is normally closed by a door 3d and the door opening is framed by a breaker strip construction 3e as is conventional. A cover element 3d lits on top of the cabinet unit 24. The construction thus presents in appearance a refrigerating unitsimilar to the types presently commercially available.

The refrigerating system for cooling the food compartment 30 includes, in addition to the evaporator 32, a refrigeration unit d0 shown here as a conventional type of motor-pump or motorcompressor carried in the machinery compartment 26 of the base 20. The refrigeration apparatus further includes a condenser 42 which is connected by a refrigerant-carrying line 44 to the evaporator 32. The pump and evaporator are connected by a suction line 46. The line 44 includes adjacent the condenser 42 a coiled portion 48 and the suction line includes adjacent the pump a coiled portion 50. In all functional aspects the two-tier assembly illustrated here 1 may be generally conventional, with the excep-y As shown in Figures 3 and 4 the sharp-freezing space between the outer shell and inner liner is filled with insulating material 80 also in the usual manner. The food compartment 52 is normally closed by a hinged door 62. The lower portion oi' the unit 22 carries and has depending therefrom a U-shaped supporting bracket 84 for the purpose of carrying refrigeration apparatus 88 including a motor pump or motor compressor, which may be of any conventional type. The refrigeration apparatus also includes a condenser 68. The condenser andevaporator coils 88 are connected by a refrigerant carrying line 18 and the pump and evaporatorcoils are connected by a suction line 12, the functional aspects of the refrigeration system' following those conventionally known.

In the use of the cabinet chest described as the three-tier assembly of Figures 5 and 6, the sharp-freezing unit 22 is positioned on top of the base unit 20 and the mild-temperature unit 24 carries the cover 88 and is placed on top of the sharp-freezing unit 22. As previously stated, the rconstruction is such that the unit 22 may be removably carried on top of the base 20, removal of the unit 20 being accomplished by lifting the unit 22 upwardly. Similarly the unit 24 is carried by the unit 22 for removal therefrom by move-A refrigeration apparatus 66 for the evaporator coils 58 of the sharp-freezingunit 22. When the mild-temperature unit 24 is arranged at the top of the assembly to permit the interposition of the sharp-freezing unit 22 between it and the base 20, the coiled portions 48 and 50 permit elonga.- tion or extensionof the refrigerant lines 44 and 46. Hence, the relationship between the evaporator 32 and the refrigeration apparatus 40 need not be disturbed when the unit 22 is added to the assembly. y

Figures '7 and 8 illustrate a two-tier assembly in which the base unit 2n and sharp-freezing unit 22 are used together without the mild freezing unit 24. In this case the cover 38 is placed directly on top of the sharp-freezing unit 22.

Figures 9 and 10 In the modified form of the invention shown here the arrangement is such that the sharpfreezing unit may be placed at the top of the assembly. In this case the sharp-freezing unit is designated by the numeral 14 and the refrigeration apparatus therefor is designated by the numeral 16.l The difference between this construction and that previously described, aside from the fact that the sharp-freezing unit is positloned at the top of the assembly, is that the refrigeration apparatus 16 is not carried directly by the unit 14, but is associated therewith in a manner similar to the association between the -refrigeration apparatus 40 and evaporator 82 of 4 the unit 24. The assembly includes the cover '88. The refrigeration lines between the apparatus 18 and evaporator coils of the unit 14 may include coiled portions in accordance with the portions 48 and 8o previously described. The interior construction of the unit 14 may be otherwise the same as the interior construction inthe unit 22.

In addition to the three-tier arrangement shown in Figure 9, this modified form of the invention is capable of a two-tier assembly includ, ing the base 20, unit 24 and cover 88; or a twotier assembly including the base 80, the unit 14 and the cover 88. In other respects the two forms of the invention are similar'and what is said about one applies to the other.

The embodiments of the invention chosen for the purposes of illustration and description herein are those preferred as the result of selective testsbased upon requirements for achieving the objects of the invention and developing the utility thereof in the most, desirable manner, due regard being had to existing' factors of economy, simplicity of design and construction, production methods and the improvements sought to be effected. It will be appreciated, therefore, that the particular structural'and functional aspects emunit including a base having a machinery compartment open at its top; a second cabinet unit carried on top of the base and adapted for removal upwardly from the base and including a storage compartment to be cooled and a cooling feleinent therefor; refrigerating apparatus including a pump disposed in and occupying only a portion of the machinery compartment of the base, the vremainder of said compartment being adapted to accommodate additional refrigerating apparatus, and having refrigerant-carrying lines connected to the cooling element in the storage compartment of the second cabinet unit, said lines being constructed and arranged for elongation to accommodate an increase of vertical distance when the second cabinet unit is removed upwardly; a third cabinet unit adapted to be interposed between the base and second cabinet unit to be supported on the top of the base and including a top portionto support the second cabinet unit. said third cabinet unit including a stor- 'age compartment to be cooled and a cooling element therefor; and refrigerating apparatus for said compartment-of the third cabinet unit including a pump depending from the bottom of said third unit adapted for positioning in the unoccupied portion of the machinery compartment of 1the base alongside the pump for the second un 2. The refrigerator deilned in claim l, in

Y which: the refrigerant-carrying lines between the rst pump and the second unit cooling element include flexible tubing having coiled portions that may be uncoiled toaccommodate the increase in vertical distance as the second cabinet unit is recarried on top of the base and adapted for removal upwardly from the base in order to permit the insertion of an additional unit when desired and including a storage compartment to be cooled and a cooling element therefor; and refrigerating apparatus including a pump disposed in and occupying only a portion of the machinery compartment of the base, the remainder of said compartment being adapted to receive additiona1 refrigerating apparatus when additional cooling units are employed, and having refrigerant-carrying lines connected to the cooling element in the storage compartment of the second cabinet unit, said lines being constructed and arranged for elongation to accommodate an increase of vertical distance when the second cabinet unit is removed upwardly.

4. 'I'he refrigerator defined in claim 3, in

` which: the refrigerant-carrying lines between opening of the machinery compartment and acpartment,

the pump and the second unit cooling element include ilexible tubing having coiled portions that may be uncoiled to accommodate the increase in vertical distance as the second cabinet unit is removed upwardly from the base.

5. A refrigerator construction comprising a base having a machinery compartment open at its top, and a pair of cabinet units; one having a mild-temperature storage compartment and rei'rigerating apparatus including a cooling element and pump therefor and the other having a sharpfreezing compartment and refrigerating apparatus including a cooling element and pump therefor separate from the flrstmentioned refrigerating apparatus, said construction characterized in that the base has a portion at its top-for supporting either of said cabinet units with the pump of the refrigerating apparatus therefor accommodated in a portion of the machinery compartment, the remainder of said compartment being adapted to accommodate additional refrigeration apparatus, and one of said cabinet umts has a top portion for supporting the other cabinet unit thereon so that the construction may optionallyinclude a two-tier arrangement of base and one cabinet unit or a three-tier arrangement of base and both cabinet units, the refrigerating apparatus of the cabinet unit to be placed uppermost in the three-tier arrangement including refrigerant-carryingconnections between its pump and cooling element constructed and arrangedr for vertical elongation so that said pump may be accommodated in the unoccupied portion of the machinery compartment of the base alongside the pump of the refrigerating apparatus for the other unit.

has a top portion for supporting the other cabinet unit thereon so that the construction may optionally include a two-tier arrangement of base and one cabinet unit or a three-tier arrangement cf base and both cabinet units, the refrigerating apparatus of the cabinet unit to be placed uppermost in the three-tier arrangement including refrigerant-carrying connections between its pump and cooling element constructed and arranged for vertical elongation so that said pump may-be accommodated Within the unoccupied portion of the `machinery compartment of the base alongside the pump of the refrigerating apparatus for the other unit and with said connections extending through the access opening of said machinery compartment.

8. A refrigerator, comprising: a. base having a machinery compartment and including a generally fiat, upper supporting portion; a cabinet unit including a lower portion arranged to rest on and be removably supported by the upper portion of the base, and having a storage compartment to be cooled and a cooling element therefor, said cabinet unit further including a generally flat.

upper supporting portion; a second cabinet unit having a lower portion arranged to rest on and be removably supported by the upper portion of the first cabinet unit, and including a storage compartment to be cooled and a cooling element therefor; refrigerating apparatus for the first unit compartment including a pump carried in a portion of the machinery compartment of the base. the remainder of'said compartment being adapted to accommodate additional refrigeration apparatus, and connected to the cooling element of said compartment for removal along with said rst unit from the base; and second refrigerating apparatus separate from the rst refrigerating apparatus and including apump in the unoccupied portion of the machinery compartment oi the base and connected to the cooling element for the second .cabinet unit for removal along with said second unit from the ilrst unit. Y

9. A refrigerator assembly, comprising: a ilrst cabinet unit having an upper supporting portion; a second cabinet unit having a lower portion reating on and removably supported by the upper portion of the first unit, and having also an upper supporting portion; a third cabinet unit having 6; A refrigerator construction as dened in claim 5, further characterized by the inclusion of a separable cover element constructed and arranged to ilt either of said cabinet units.

7l A refrigerator` construction comprising a base having a machinery compartment provided with an access opening and a pair of cabinet units. one -having a mild-temperature storage 'compartment and refrigerating apparatus including a cooling element and pump therefor and the other having a sharp-freezing compartment and refrigerating apparatus including 'a cooling element and pump therefor separate from the first mentioned refrigerating apparatus. said con -struction characterized in that' the'base-has a portion at its top for supporting either of said cabinet units with the -pump of the refrigerating apparatus 'therefor extending .through the access w ted in a portion of said machinerycomthe remainder of said compartment bei!!! adapted eration apparatus, and one of said cabinet units a lower portion resting on and removably supported by the upper portion of the sec nd unit: means providing a machinery comp ent in one oi' the units; means providing a refrigerated storage compartment vinV each of the other units: separate cooling elements for said storage compartments; refrigerating apparatus including a pump removably carried in a portion of the machinery compartment and connected to the cooling element' of one ofthe refrigerated cabinet .units for removal from the assembly along with said one refrigerated cabinet unit; and separate refrigerating apparatus including a second pump' removably carried in the unoccupied portion of the machinery compartment and connected to the cooling element of the other refrigerated cabinet unit for removal from the assembly along with said other refrigerated cabinet-unit.

ITHEoDonE H. Komm; o .naraanncas crran l The following references are of record in the ille of 'tenis-patent:`

toaccommodate additional refrig- V' v -UNnnn sTAfrns PA'mN'rs Number Y' f Name. Date 1,317,824 man -f.-'---. any 1n. mi 

